Sunset in the Land of the Rising Sun: Why Japanese Multinational Corporations Will Struggle in the Global Future (INSEAD Business Press)

Even casual observers will be familiar with the Cherry Blossom or Sakura tress of Japan. When in full bloom the sight is spectacular but it sadly only takes a week until the tree is bare. In a longer cycle of nations and business, we see, unfortunately, a similar pattern for Japanese Multinational Corporations. Even causal observers will be familiar with the Cherry Blossom or Sakura trees of Japan. When in full bloom, the sight is spectacular. This amazing visual is preceded by several weeks of behind the scenes development as the buds grow. Sadly, from the time of full bloom until the blossoms have all scattered only takes a week or less. In the longer cycle of nations and business, the authors unfortunately see a similar transitory pattern for Japanese Multinational Corporations (MNCs). Japanese companies seemed to be in full bloom in the mid-90s but now show serious signs of losing their standing in the landscape of global players. The authors explain how and why this is happening, but perhaps more importantly, examine what can be done to improve the situation in the future Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Where Have all the Flowers Gone?....Pages 1-9 Follow the Yellow Brick Road, Part 1....Pages 10-24 Follow The Yellow Brick Road, Part 2....Pages 25-35 A Brave New World....Pages 36-48 Curve Ball....Pages 49-56 Barbarians At The Gate....Pages 57-66 Water, Water Everywhere, But Not A Drop To Drink....Pages 67-75 A Tale of Two Cities....Pages 76-88 The Incredible Shrinking Japan....Pages 89-104 So What Are The Japanese To Do?....Pages 105-118 A Cautionary Tale....Pages 119-130 Back Matter....Pages 131-141